By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
SUAMICO – A wetlands delineation study completed this summer on the site where a new Fire Station No. 1 is planned in the village confirmed the property does not contain wetlands that would prohibit construction, Village Administrator Alex Kaker informed the Suamico village board Monday, Oct. 7.
Kaker said the study conducted by Evergreen Consultants on the 1.9-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Riverside Drive and West Deerfield Lane determined only one wetland existed, which was located in the roadside ditch along West Deerfield.
He said the study, which is posted on the village’s website, was conducted as part of the plans to build a new fire station and wasn’t done in response to any complaint about the possible existence of wetlands on the site.
It was Evergreen’s opinion the wetland within the site is an artificial wetland, as defined by state law, with an artificially created excavated roadside ditch.
Kaker said the village applied to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for an artificial wetland exemption determination, and the DNR approved an exemption from state wetland regulations Sept. 30, which will allow the village to build a driveway where the current roadside ditch exists.
“From our standpoint, there are no wetland issues for the fire station site,” he said.
Public Works Director Andy Smits said the ditch created along West Deerfield became an artificial wetland that retained water over time.
Zoning Administrator Steve Dunks said the original property line on the south of the fire station site was drawn to keep the property out of wetlands.
“Everything south is likely wetlands,” Dunks said.
Kaker’s report of the wetland delineation study was on the board’s agenda for informational purposes only with no action taken.
The board previously selected Five Bugles Design as the fire station project’s architect and Zeise Construction as the construction manager.
Construction is planned to begin next spring with board members hoping to keep the overall project cost below $6 million.
Fire station funds
Excess sales tax funds the village received this year from the Lambeau Field stadium tax will be going toward the Fire Station No. 1 project.
The board passed a resolution to expend up to $4,141 in stadium tax dollars for continued site preparation, including soil testing, for the new Fire Station No. 1.
The resolution notes stadium tax dollars are to be used to stimulate economic development, pay off debt service or provide property tax relief.
Kaker pointed out the board last year approved spending $100,000 in stadium tax funds for site preparation work for the new fire station location.
He said he expects a total of around $104,000 will be needed to complete the site preparation work, and the new stadium tax funds would help pay the full amount.
“My understanding is that this ($4,141) is additional monies that were paid off – maybe they were delinquent, they were paid to the district and we’re just getting that money now,” Kaker said. “I don’t anticipate to ever get stadium district funds more than this. They’ll continue to go down and down as the late payers come in.”
Finance Director Jessica Legois reported to the board last month the village has more than $400,000 available in the stadium tax fund.